Utah State's men and women's cross country teams are each ranked 11th in the Mountain Regional Preseason Team Rankings announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. (photo from Athletics website)

Utah State's [University] men and women's cross country teams are each ranked 11th in the Mountain Regional Preseason Team Rankings, announced Monday [Aug. 25, 2014] by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as voted on by a single coach from each respective region.

Utah State enters its second season in the Mountain West, coming off fifth and sixth-place conference finishes for the Aggie women and men, respectively. The Aggie women are one of six Mountain West members to be ranked in the top-15 in the region. USU is joined by New Mexico (2nd), Air Force (6th), Wyoming (9th), Nevada (10th) and Colorado State (12th).

Four other women's teams from the state of Utah were picked in the top-15. Weber State (3rd), BYU (5th), Utah (7th) and Southern Utah (13th) join the Aggies in the rankings.

On the men's side, five other Mountain West teams were ranked regionally. USU is joined in the rankings by New Mexico (4th), Colorado State (5th), Air Force (6th) and Wyoming (8th).

Additionally, Utah State's men are one of five teams from the Beehive State that are ranked in the Mountain Region poll. USU is joined by BYU (3rd), Southern Utah (7th), Weber State (10th) and Utah Valley (14th).

USTFCCCA Regional Cross Country Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning team strength with current-season results in determining predicted team finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.

USU's men and women's cross country teams begin the 2014 season by hosting the Aggie Invitational Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Innovation Campus Wellness Park.

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